Village Staff

Rev. Dr. Jonathan H. Wilson, Associate Director Rev. Dr. Jonathan H. Wilson has been employed or closely connected with the The Turner Foundation (formerly the Rose Garden Village Foundation) since 1962. Rev. Wilson is a practical and effective communicator who has taught in churches and Seminaries since 1969. He is an experienced administrator with more than 30 years administering multi-staff churches, as well as the former Rose Garden Village retirement properties. Rev. Wilson is a skilled co-teacher (with his wife Patty) on principles of parenting, marriage and aging. Rev. Wilson can often be heard as a radio commentator—and hosted talk shows in Southern California for eight years. He has written a regular newspaper column for four different newspapers since 1980. In addition to his responsibilities as President of the Board and Associate Director of The Turner Foundation, Rev. Wilson has been Head of Staff at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church since 2000. Rev. Wilson and his wife, Patty, have been married for 41 years and have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Jeff Shaffer, Director, The Village Mr. Jeff Shaffer started working for the Turner Foundation in February, 2008. He is currently the Associate Director at the Village Apartments. He has been married to his wife Julia since 1990 and has three children – Kairos, Kennah, and Kalum. He has a B.A. in Religious Studies from San Jose State University. He is currently working with Christian Associates International as well – specifically working with the local poor in Santa Barbara. You can find more out about that at www.uffizimission.org . In addition to serving as Associate Director at The Village, Jeff is a part of the Turner Foundation's Commission to Assist Those with Significant Financial Needs.

Alexis Wilson, Administrator Alexis Wilson began working for the Turner Foundation in 2007. She graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 2006 with a degree in sociology and a minor in Spanish. While enrolled in college, she participated in several study-abroad programs in Mexico and Costa Rica. This experience enabled her to become fluent in Spanish and travel throughout most of Latin America. In 2005, Alexis received a research grant from UCSB and spent one year researching coffee in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Peru. After completing her BA, she traveled to Tanzania, Africa for 3 months. There she worked with a non-profit called International Health Partners completing an extensive feasibility study for an orphanage. Alexis now serves as the Administrator of the Foundation.

Mrs. Patricia Wilson, Director of The Community Center and Special Events Mrs. Patty (Turner) Wilson has been involved with the Turner Foundation (formerly the Rose Garden Village Foundation) since she was a young lady. Her parents, Rev. Dr. Albert J. Turner and his wife Florence , founded the Foundation in 1958. She has been involved in virtually every aspect of the Foundation in the years to follow—from working at the Foundation properties to planning events and activities for the Foundation to serving for many years on the Board of Directors. Mrs. Wilson attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara , California .  While attending Westmont she was very active in the educational activities for the City of Santa Barbara —as well as programs for less fortunate children in the community.   Mrs. Wilson graduated from Westmont College in 1967 as a prepared educator.  She began a long career in education in La Canada , California . During her tenure in La Canada , she was involved in the writing and producing of the Holiday Programs for the elementary school.  Her ventriloquist experience gave her many opportunities to do programs for various children's organizations in the local area. Mrs. Wilson went on to further her career in public education in Brea , California beginning in 1977. She taught at the first grade level for many years, continued community involvement, and developed a “Values Through Literature” Program that was adopted across the school district. She was involved in the creation of a program for Gifted children in the Brea schools—as well as teaching Character Education. In 1991, upon moving to Carmel , California , Mrs. Wilson continued to be involved in both public education and the community. She taught at the third grade level, founded the “Sober Grad Nite” at the local high school, wrote and produced Holiday Program at the local community center, and once again introduced “Value Education” to the school district. Upon returning to southern California in 1998, Mrs. Wilson accepted the position of Assistant Head of Viewpoint Primary School. She continues to focus on Character Education. Mrs. Wilson and her husband, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Wilson, have taught parenting classes for more than 20 years. They have 3 grown sons and 4 grandchildren.

Jason and Christie Tarman, Co-Chairs, The Commission to Assist Those with Significant Financial Needs Jason and Christie Tarman began co-chairing The Commission to Assist Those with Significant Financial Needs in May of 2008. Christie and Jason have been married since 1996 and have 2 children, Caleb and Abigail. They have been working with marginalized peoples in various capacities throughout their lives.

Jason has a heart for the homeless and those suffering from mental illness. He has worked with these populations in various capacities since age 16 when he worked as a front-desk staff at a low budget motel in Carpinteria serving mostly homeless mentally ill adults. It was there that he met Steve, a homeless Vietnam vet, who inspired and deepened Jason's love for this population. After high school he spent 9 months in Uganda, deepening his own faith as well as his love of the "poor." Jason completed his BA in religious studies from Willamette University, his MS in counseling psychology from California Lutheran University, and is currently a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. He ran an adult residential facility for 6 years, serving adults with major mental illness, for Phoenix of Santa Barbara. He has been working for Santa Barbara County Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health services for more than five years, first as a Homeless Outreach worker, and now as a clinician at Los Prietos Boys Camp with incarcerated youth ages 13-18.

Christie had the opportunity to study and serve in Latin America several times during her college years, getting to observe both the sufferings and the gifts of poverty first-hand. Since then, she has worked or volunteered in marginalized communities wherever she has lived, believing that Jesus is constantly revealing himself in "the distressing disguise of the poor" (Mother Teresa). She has a B.A. in Communications from Pacific Lutheran University, and when she is not dedicating time to family, friends, and her community, she is pursuing a career in freelance writing.

Mr. Johnny Ray Watson, Co-Chair, Commission for Hope In the past 35 years, Johnny Ray Watson has been a featured artist with some of America's great ministries. He has performed for Billy Graham Crusades, the America for Jesus Rallies, Moody Bible Institute and Professional Athletes Outreach. Mr. Watson has over 20 years of experience with prison ministries, and will be assisting The Turner Foundation's Commission for Hope specifically in this area. For more than 20 years, Mr. Watson worked with one of the oldest prison ministries in the country, Bill Glass Prison Ministries. Along side professional athletes and other performers he visited hundreds of prisons across the country and connected with thousands of prisoners.

Mr. Watson currently lives in Bastrop, Texas with his wife, Brinda Kay and family. His sincere love for people and comfortable country personality make him seem like an old friend. Mr. Watson will serve as the Co-Chair of The Turner Foundation's Commission for Hope, a Commission specifically geared toward serving young people, those in the inner cities, and those in prison.